Christina of Sweden belongs to that company of female monarchs which includes Cleopatra, Mary Stuart , and Catherine the Great, whose colourful personalities continue to provoke the curiosity and stimulate the imagination of both scholars and romanticists. Vilified by scandal-mongers but admired for her intelligence and learning, Christina's cultural interests included a passion for music. This attracted many of the best musicians of the 17th century to her service.
DR JOHN BERGSAGEL discusses the place of music in the life of this fascinating woman and introduces music by some of the composers - among them Andreas Diiben , Albrici, Corelli, Pasquini, and Alessandro Scar latti - with whom she was associated,